Chapter 32
Chapter 32
They arrived.
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The moment the car stopped, the noise exploded. Cameras flashing everywhere. Reporters shouting over each other. Microphones shoved toward the window.
“Mr. Thorne! Who’s the mystery woman?”
“Is she one of your models?”
“Is this the same woman from the restaurant photos?”
“Mr. Thorne, is she your girlfriend?”
Marcus didn’t stop. Didn’t acknowledge any of them. Just opened his door, walked around to her side, and pulled her door open. His hand went immediately to her waist. Firm. Possessive. The message was clear.
She’s mine. Back off.
They walked slowly. Elara’s heels clicked against the pavement. Each step is careful. Measured. She couldn’t afford to fall right now, the heels were uncomfortable as hell. She could already imagine tomorrow’s headlines. The photos plastered across gossip sites and social media.
Hopefully Mimi he bestie didn’t check the news. Hopefully she was too busy with school to notice. Because if she saw this and Elara hadn’t told her yet, she would be absolutely cooked.
They stepped through the entrance into the hall.
It was massive. High ceilings with crystal chandeliers hanging like frozen waterfalls. Tables draped in white linens. Flowers everywhere. Gold accents on everything. The kind of event where every detail cost more than most people made in a month.
And the people. God, so many people.
All dressed perfectly. All looking expensive. All turning to stare as Marcus walked in with her on his arm.
Eyes. So many eyes. Judging. Calculating. Some were scanning her from head to toe like they were pricing her outfit. Others whispered behind champagne flutes.
Elara kept her chin up. She kept walking. Kept pretending she belonged here.
“Marcus! My boy!”
A voice cut through the noise. An older man waved from across the room. Silver hair. Expensive suit. A warm smile.
Marcus’s uncle. One of the few family members who’d always been kind to her even back when she was just his assistant.
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Chapter 32
They walked over. The man’s face lit up when he saw her.
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“Elara? Is that you?” He looked genuinely shocked. “I almost didn’t recognize you. You look incredible.”
“Thank you, Mr. Thorne.”
“Please. Call me Richard.” He turned to Marcus. “You’ve been hiding her.”
“Not anymore.”
Richard launched into business talk. Something about quarterly projections and market expansion. Marcus responded with the same sharp focus he always had. Numbers. Strategy. Plans.
Elara added a few comments. Just enough to not look like a silent doll standing there for decoration. Richard seemed pleased. Impressed even.
They moved from group to group after that. Shaking hands. Exchanging smiles. Marcus’s hand never left her waist. Always there. Always grounding her.
He introduced her the same way every time.
“This is Elara. My girlfriend.”
And then once, to a particularly important-looking couple, he added something that made her stomach flip.
“Meet the love of my life.”
The conversation shifted immediately. People started paying attention. Really paying attention. Not everyone looked welcoming. Especially the women. The glares from women? whew. Their smiles were tight. Forced. Their eyes were cold.
If looks could kill, Elara would have been dead ten times over.
Marcus leaned close to her ear. His breath warm against her skin. His lips almost touched her.
“Want a drink?”
The sensation shot straight between her legs. Heat. Want. Immediate and overwhelming.
He knew what he was doing. Had to know. That wasn’t accidental.
“Maybe just juice,” she managed.
He smiled. Kissed her lips quickly. Casually. Like it was the most natural thing in the world.
“Be right back.”
Then he was gone.
Elara stood there trying to process what just happened. The kiss. The casual intimacy. The way her body had responded like she’d been shocked.
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Chapter 32
It’s just for show, she reminded herself. Just part of the act. Understandable.
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Minutes later Marcus returned holding a glass of orange juice. He handed it to her with that same small smile.
“You spoil me so much,” she said.
“You haven’t seen nothing yet. I promise.”
Before she could respond, someone pulled him away. A business contact. Urgent. Important.
Marcus turned to her. “Don’t wander. I’ll be right back.”
She smiled and nodded.
He disappeared into the crowd.
Elara sipped her juice and tried not to look lost.
“Hi.”
She turned.
A man stood beside her. Tall. Handsome in that clean-cut billionaire heir kind of way. Designer suit. Perfect hair. Confident smile.
“You look beautiful,” he said. “You must be
“Cus’s girl.”
“Thank you. I guess so.”
“I can tell you’re not one of the media types. The ones who lo
cameras and attention.”
“No. Definitely not.”
“I could tell.” He laughed. Easy. Charming. “You look like
anywhere else right now.”
She smiled despite herself. “Is it that obvious?”
“Only to someone paying attention.” He extended his hand. “I’m….”
“Leaving.”
Marcus’s voice cut through. It was cold, man chill, the dude was only being friendly,
The man’s hand dropped immediately. He took a step back. “Marcus, Hey, I was just introducing myself to….”
“I know what you were doing.” Marcus moved between them. Physically blocking the guy from Elara’s view. “Goodbye, Jason,”
Jason left without another word.
Dante appeared beside Marcus. Grinning. Holding two glasses of champagne.
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Chapter 32
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“Wow, Elara. You look sexy.” He looked her up and down appreciatively. “If I’d known you’d clean up this well, I would have wifed you before Marcus had the chance.”
Marcus gave him a disgusted look. “Dante.”
“What? Don’t blame me. I have good taste.”
Elara smiled. “Thank you, Dante.”
“Anytime, gorgeous. If this one messes up….” he jerked his thumb toward Marcus “….you know where to find
me.”
Before she could respond, arms wrapped around Marcus from behind.
Female arms.
A woman pressed herself against his back. Blonde. Beautiful. Wearing a dress beautiful, maybe more beautiful than Elara’s
Elara froze.
The woman smiled over Marcus’s shoulder. Looked directly at Elara.
“Marcus, baby. I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
Well, this just got interesting.
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